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As the MLB offseason moves forward, teams have plenty of options to choose from in free agency. This year’s free agent class is much more well-rounded than in previous offseasons, and it could see a lot of action take place around the league.
One of the bigger names hitting the open market is star outfielder Cody Bellinger, who spent this past season with the New York Yankees. Bellinger is likely to receive a lucrative contract from interested teams, and this could cause a bidding war to break out for his services.
The veteran looked very comfortable while with the Yankees, and we could see him return to the Bronx. But there will be other teams looking to steal him away, and it could be a matter of price for New York.
This is just a prediction, NOT a report!
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Cody Bellinger Will Join Arizona Diamondbacks
One option for Bellinger could be to return to the West Coast, specifically his hometown team, the Arizona Diamondbacks. Arizona is in need of another outfielder, and Bellinger would get a chance to return home.
The Diamondbacks front office has shown a dramatically increased willingness to spend money over the past two winters, and they could do it again. Following this team’s run to the World Series a few years ago, it seems that the organization has seen what success on the field can do.
If this team were to add a bat like Bellinger to the mix, it could make a massive difference in terms of them competing next year. Arizona just barely missed the postseason this year, and that was with all sorts of injuries taking place throughout the long season.
Bellinger could give this lineup some extra pop, especially if the team decides to trade star infielder Ketel Marte this offseason. The veteran has shown the ability to play multiple positions, both out in the outfield and in the infield.
This gives whatever team he is on some extra flexibility when building out lineups, and he has been a consistent force in the big leagues. The former MVP would make the Diamondbacks much more of a threat in the National League West, and this team does need to find a way to compete with the other elite teams.
The two sides are also very familiar with one another due to his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers years ago. Bellinger knows how dangerous Arizona can be when they are good, and he may be interested in helping this team get over the hump.
This past season. Bellinger put together his best year since his 2019 MVP season, slashing .272/.334/.480 with 29 homers, posting an .813 OPS, and he was worth five Wins Above Replacement. The star was also worth +11 Defensive Runs Saved, showing his defensive abilities.
Arizona needs both a power-hitting bat to add to the team and a first baseman, both of which Bellinger checks the box for. This could be one of the better landing spots for the veteran this winter, and it’s something that both sides should be considering.